Charles Wilbert Noah, 78, of Monaca, passed away September 10, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on October 14, 1945 in Rochester, a son of the late Wilbert and Sarah Noah. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, John and Ella Cable; sisters, Ruth Berovich, Mary Luzell, Shirley Palombo and Jean Kovalesky; brother-in-law, James Wedgewood.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mariella Cable Noah, daughters, Dawn Terrill of Midland, Sue (Doug) Dishler of Industry, son, Charles (Jolene Solomon) Noah Jr. of McDonald, sister, Joan Noah of Beaver, sisters-in-law, Leslie Wedgewood of Chester, West Virginia, Jai-Ellen (Duane) St. George of Midland, Shelley Cable of Stubenville, Ohio, brother-in-law, John Cable of Coraopolis, grandchildren, Sarah (Colin) Berkley of Stafford, Virginia, Kenneth (Chelsea) Elkins of Negley, Ohio, Noah (Taylor) Elkins of Industry, Matthew McDole III of Industry, Caitlyn (Robert) Pike of Industry, and Annilyn (Justin Reed) Noah of West Virginia; great-grandchildren, Jordan Leigh, Chase Pike, Gracelyn Pike, Kenneth Elkins, Wyatt Elkins, Savannah Webber, Paul Webber, Aubrianna Martin, Addalyn Martin and Wade Specht.

Charles was a veteran of the US Army, where he was a paratrooper. He also was a heavy equipment operator for T.L. Lawrence in Eastvale and a member of the Midland American Legion.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 22, from 2-6 P.M. at the Midland American Legion. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 600 Beaver Ave., Midland. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charles name to Amedisys Hospice or the veterans.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their support.

Sabrina White, 65, of Ambridge, passed away on September 6, 2024. She was born on November 27, 1959, the daughter of the late Gene and Esther Wills. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy White Sr., and her sister, Mary Wills-Taylor.

She is survived by her three children, Garland D. White, Leroy White Jr., and Samirra White, as well as her siblings, Gene Wills Jr. and Garland Wills, her cherished grandchildren: Theodore, Aliziah, Alayna, Lindin, Elijah, Gavin, Bella, Valon, Muhammed, Destiny, and King, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Sabrina was known to her family as an undisputed protector, provider, and grandmother. She was deeply committed to her church, The Lord of the Harvest, and was beloved for her vibrant, social personality that brightened everyone’s day. Her favorite colors were black and silver, and she was a loving and caring mother, sister, and grandmother.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects on Monday, September 16, from 1:00 PM until the time of funeral service at 3:00 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC., located at 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Donna M. Sofranko, 74, passed away on September 10, 2024 after an extended illness.

She was born on June 3, 1950, the daughter of the late Andrew and Helen Harasin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert. She is survived by her loving husband, Tom, to whom she was married for 51 years. She is also survived by her two daughters, Dori (Dan) and Colleen (Jon), and three grandchildren who loved “Grammy” very much, Zachary, Levi, and Aurora. Donna was a graduate of Edinboro University and was a special education teacher for many years at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.  She loved to shop, swim, and travel.  She was a terrific wife, mother, and grandmother.

All services will be private.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to care for Donna and her family during this time.

James “Jim” Higgins, 91, of Beaver Falls, passed away on September 7, 2024.

He was born in Indianola, Pennsylvania on May 23, 1933, to George and Blanche Higgins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years Jean. He is survived by his children Terri Kedzierski of Indianola, Scott Higgins of Peters Township, Jean’s daughter, Frances Lagana of Worcester, Massachusetts, grandchildren Jeffrey (Jodi) Kedzierski, Eve Kedzierski, Cole Kedzierski, Samantha (Liam) Halferty, Alexander Higgins, Mathew Higgins and great grandsons Owen and Niall.

He grew up in a loving family with his brother Bob. He graduated from Oakmont High School in 1951. A life-long educator, he earned his teaching degree from Slippery Rock College and his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. He began his teaching career at his Alma mater, Oakmont High School, where he also coached football and basketball. He continued his career in education in the North Hills School district where he served as superintendent until his retirement.

An avid sports fan, he was a Pirate season ticket holder for many years and never missed a Steelers game. He and his wife Jean shared a love of traveling and made many trips together to beautiful places around the world. When not traveling they enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their home in Beaver Falls. His kind and loving spirit will be missed by all the many lives he touched.

Friends and family will be received on Monday, September 23rd, from 2-4 and 6-8 at Oakmont Presbyterian Church, 415 Pennsylvania Avenue, (Fifth Street entrance) Oakmont. A celebration of life service will be followed by a luncheon at the church, on September 24th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Salvation Army or Doctors Without Borders.

Robert M. Burak, 90, passed away on September 9, 2024 surrounded by his loving children. He was born on December 10, 1933, a son of the late Mitchell and Anna Burak. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Margaret “Peggy” (Acheson) Burak. He was the cherished father of Robert M. (Barbara) Burak, Jr., Pamela A. (Robert) Rosati and Catherine Burak (Ronda). He is survived by his twin brother Edward (Shirley) Burak and brother James (Shirley) Burak. He was the grandfather of Roberta (Jason) Knox, Bradley Rosati, Jonathan R. Burak and Allyson K. (Cameron) Duff, the great-grandfather of Hayden Rosati, Izabelle Knox, Benjamin Rosati. He is survived by twins Olivia and Madelynn Knox, Cash Duff and Cruz Duff and many loving nieces and nephews. Robert was a proud U.S. Army veteran earning the rank of Corporal and playing for the Fort Bragg, North Carolina Army football team. He worked as a steel worker/foreman for Jones and Laughlin/LTV steel. He also served as a consultant for various steel manufacturers in the region. He and his wife Peggy were longtime members of the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed all Pittsburgh sports teams. He also thrived as an outdoorsman, relishing in the time spent hunting and fishing in nature with family and friends. He will be remembered most as a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. Friends will be received at the R.D. Copeland Funeral Home, 981 Brodhead Road, Moon Township on Thursday, September 12th from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, September 13th at 10 A.M. prior to funeral services at New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church of Aliquippa at 11 AM. Interment will follow at the Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Veterans Administration or Good Samaritan Hospice.

 

Michael E. LaNeve, 63, of Beaver Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 6, 2024.

He was born on May 12, 1961, in New Brighton, he was the son of Shirley (Householder) LaNeve and the late Frank LaNeve. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his loving companion, Lois Schweitzer; and a nephew, John Mitchell. In addition to his mother, he is survived by three siblings, Frank LaNeve, Mary (John) Mitchell, and Brian (Colleen) LaNeve and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Michael had attended Saints Peter & Paul Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and worked for Seven Oaks Country Club for 40 years.

Michael had a great love for friends and family, which included his work family at Seven Oaks Country Club. He always made time to celebrate special occasions and early Christmas morning visits with his nieces and nephews. If ever anyone was an optimist, it was Michael. No matter what life put in front of him, he never complained nor did he give up.  Whenever the professionals or doctors painted a dark picture, whether concerning his health issues or those of Lois, Mike would just say they have been wrong before and keep moving forward.

Friends will be received on Thursday, September 12^th from 4-7 P.M. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Ave., New Brighton.

A blessing service will be held in the funeral home on Friday, September 13^th, at 11AM.  Friends will be received one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, 15001.

Anna “Nina” Pelino 95, of Aliquippa passed away on September 1, 2024, in the comfort of her home. She was born on October 5, 1928, in Pacentro (L’ Aquila, Abruzzo), Italy, the eldest daughter of Virginia and Ettore Fabilli. She was preceded in death by her husband, Celestino Pelino and her sister Argentina Manfre (Frank). She is survived by her two daughters, Louise McDonald (Dennis) and Donna Emery (Richard), four grandchildren Denny and Celeste, Anna Emery and Stephanie Harm (Chris), two great grandchildren, her sisters, Flora Lucci, (the late Biagio), Violetta Rubino (Germano), Amelia Garofolo (Nick), her brother Giovanni Fabilli (Emma) and many loving nieces and nephews.

Anna was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother. She had four sisters and one brother. She was affectionately called “Mama” by her family.
At the age of 16, on September 6, 1946, she married Celestino Pelino in Chiesa Madre di Santa Maria della, Misericordia Church. Together they lived an exemplary life of devotion to God, family and friends. If anyone needed help, they were there before anyone would ask. They taught their children it is better to give then receive.
Celestino immigrated to the United States and found employment at J&L Steel, where his father Salvatore, a World War I combat veteran of the Italian army and a World War I veteran of the U.S. Army, was working. Celestino then sent for Anna. With her first-born daughter, Luisa, she boarded an ocean liner and headed for America, landing at Ellis Island. She went to Americanization classes to learn English. While she embraced her new country, her home in Aliquippa was a bit of Italy. She kept many values and traditions she learned growing up in the well-preserved medieval village of Pacentro, a town of about 1,200 residents near Sulmona and 110 miles east of Rome.
After settling into a home on Plan 12, they had a second daughter, Donna. It was at this home they had gardens, growing their own vegetables. The aroma from Nina’s kitchen brought you back to Italy. She was a superb cook. The doorbell always rang on Sundays, and you never knew who to expect to join the family for dinner. She and Celestino were the happiest sharing their home with family, friends, and strangers. They were perfectionists in everything they did, whether it was cooking, sewing, cleaning or gardening. Her home was spotless. In addition to her culinary achievements, Nina helped make homemade wine ratcheting the wine press when Celestino and Salvatore were at work, even though she never drank a drop of it.
While Nina was an excellent cook, she was also a talented seamstress. She worked at Stoff’s men’s clothing shop in Aliquippa, altering men’s suits. When Gimbels opened in the Beaver Valley Mall, she was employed in the bridal department specializing in wedding gown alterations, and other premium alterations. She kept a storehouse of fabric. The volume of completed projects waiting for the right moment to be bestowed upon a loved one was astounding. She created wedding gowns, Holy Communion, Confirmation and prom dresses, as well as three-piece suits and coats. There was nothing that Nina could not sew.
As a matriarch of the family, in her quiet but strong ways, she was a graceful, gracious and generous woman, with profound wisdom, an immeasurable, kind heart, and deep faith. Her love for her family was paramount. She cherished being a mama to her grandchildren with whom she shared her abundance of love and care.
A Mass of Christian burial be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 10, at St. Titus Church of Mary Queen of Saints Parish, where she was a member for more than 70 years. Private interment will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Richard Stephen Bender, 60, of New Brighton, passed away unexpectedly on August 30, 2024, at Heritage Valley Beaver. 

He was born on March 13, 1964, in New Brighton, the son of Judith Bender-Dickinson and the late Richard Bender. In addition to his mother, he is survived by stepfather Donald Dickinson, and many friends.

Richard graduated from New Horizon in 1985, an accomplishment that made all that knew him extremely proud. He also attended HAP Enterprises and worked with Beaver County Rehabilitation Center (BCRC). He enjoyed attending meetings with the Beaver Falls Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses whenever possible. 

Friends will be received on Sunday, September 15th from 1 P.M. until the time of Memorial Services at 4 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard’s name to jw.org.